Iron will: hardcore fans at Thatcher's funeral – in pictures

James O Jenkins saw Margaret Thatcher being egged when she visited his hometown of Porthcawl in 1984. He photographed her funeral 29 years later – and found the same divisive mood

Main image:
Thatchers Funeral - a book by James O Jenkins
Sent in for Arts 7am gallery May 2016
contact photographer for further use. james@jamesojenkins.co.uk
Photograph: James O Jenkins

Thu 12 May 2016 02.00 EDT
Last modified on Thu 27 Jun 2019 07.11 EDT

In 2013, photographer James O Jenkins documented one of the most contentious public events in recent memory: the funeral of Margaret Thatcher• Thatcher’s Funeral is at
Carousel, London, until 27 May.• All photographs: James O Jenkins

Jenkins says his own fascination with Thatcher began aged seven, in 1984, when she visited his home town of Porthcawl. ‘At the end of the road was the esplanade on the seafront that led to the Grand Pavilion. We wandered to the end of our road and saw the prime minister, Margaret Thatcher, being driven to the Pavilion to speak to members of the Welsh Conservative party … ’

‘We got there in time to see Thatcher being egged by miners’ wives protesting about the miners’ strike – then in its 13th week – and the Dyfed farmers’ action group who were protesting at common market agriculture policies. They threw eggs, butter and ice cream at her’

‘Seeing the reaction that day made me realise what a divisive figure she was. I was as aware as a seven year old could be of the miners’ strike, but unaware of the vitriol that Thatcher was able to produce in people, especially in south Wales’

‘When Thatcher died, I decided to photograph the people who were lining the streets of central London to catch a glimpse of her funeral cortege – and 29 years later the feeling of divisiveness was apparent again’

‘It was a very strange day, where the mood changed along the route,’ Jenkins continues. ‘There were a lot protesters nearer the start, at Trafalgar Square and along the Strand, but when the cortege neared Ludgate Circus and the City, people started applauding her’